U.S. patent number 9,108,031 [Application Number 13/061,602] was granted by the patent office on 2015-08-18 for connector having a membrane, for connecting a syringe to a container or tubing.
This patent grant is currently assigned to FRESENIUS KABI DEUTSCHLAND GMBH. The grantee listed for this patent is Torsten Brandenburger, Ismael Rahimy. Invention is credited to Torsten Brandenburger, Ismael Rahimy.
United States Patent |
9,108,031 |
Brandenburger , et
al. |
August 18, 2015 |
Connector having a membrane, for connecting a syringe to a
container or tubing
Abstract
The invention relates to a device for connecting a syringe to a
container or tubing, particularly for connecting a syringe to a
container for receiving infusion-, transfusion-, or enteral
nutrition solutions and particularly for connecting a syringe to
tubing of a blood tube system of an extracorporeal blood treatment
device or to tubing for a venous portal. The invention also relates
to a container and tubing with such a device. The device according
to the invention has a connecting part (2) which connects to the
container or the tubing, the connecting part having a recess (3) in
which a membrane (12) is arranged, the membrane closing the
channel-shaped recess. A hollow body (22) having a syringe (23) is
arranged in the recess (3) of the connecting part (2) in such a
manner that the membrane (12) is pierced upon connection of the
syringe to the connecting part. The device according to the
invention is characterized in that the membrane (12) is arranged
above the hollow body (22) in the connecting part (2) recess (3),
such that upon connection of the syringe to the connecting part,
the membrane is pressed onto the tip of the hollow body.
Inventors: |
Brandenburger; Torsten
(Reichelsheim, DE), Rahimy; Ismael (Friedberg,
DE) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brandenburger; Torsten
Rahimy; Ismael |
Reichelsheim
Friedberg |
N/A
N/A |
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
FRESENIUS KABI DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
(Bad Homburg, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
41506443 |
Appl.
No.: |
13/061,602 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2009 |
PCT
Filed: |
September 23, 2009 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/EP2009/006851 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
March 01, 2011 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2010/034470 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
April 01, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20110166532 A1 |
Jul 7, 2011 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
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Sep 25, 2008 [DE] |
|
|
10 2008 048 988 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M
39/26 (20130101); A61M 39/20 (20130101); A61J
1/2096 (20130101); A61M 39/16 (20130101); A61M
39/045 (20130101); A61M 39/1011 (20130101); A61M
2039/1061 (20130101); A61J 1/2044 (20150501); A61M
2039/1072 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61M
39/16 (20060101); A61M 39/10 (20060101); A61M
39/04 (20060101); A61J 1/20 (20060101); A61M
39/20 (20060101); A61M 39/26 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;604/403,256,201,249 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19728755 |
|
Jan 1999 |
|
DE |
|
10348016 |
|
Jun 2005 |
|
DE |
|
0309771 |
|
Apr 1989 |
|
EP |
|
0681493 |
|
Jun 2000 |
|
EP |
|
98/50106 |
|
Nov 1998 |
|
WO |
|
2005/037362 |
|
Apr 2005 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
See definiition of "break off". Merriam-Webster's Collegiate
Dictionary: Eleventh Edition. 2004. cited by examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Berdichevsky; Aarti B
Assistant Examiner: Engel; Matthew A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Occhiuti & Rohlicek LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An apparatus comprising a connector for connecting a syringe to
a container or tubing, wherein the connector comprises a connecting
part having an upper end, wherein the connecting part is to be
connected to the container or the tubing, wherein the connecting
part has a recess in which a membrane is arranged; a break-off part
that closes the recess of the connecting part and is connected to
the upper end of the connecting part; wherein the break-off part
comprises a tamper-evident closure, and a hollow body with a point
that is arranged in the recess of the connecting part, wherein the
membrane and the hollow body are arranged in the recess of the
connecting part in such a manner that the membrane is pierced when
the syringe is connected to the connecting part, wherein the
membrane is arranged above the hollow body in the recess of the
connecting part and therefore, when the syringe is connected to the
connecting part, the membrane is pressed by the syringe onto the
point of the hollow body, and wherein the membrane and the hollow
body are arranged at a non-zero distance from each other in the
recess of the connecting part, wherein the break-off part has an
unbroken state and a broken state, wherein in the unbroken state
the break-off part is an unbroken break-off part, wherein in the
broken state the break-off part is a broken break-off part, wherein
the break-off part is configured to transition from the unbroken
state to the broken state, wherein a transition from the unbroken
state to the broken state permits a liquid connection between the
syringe and the connector.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hollow body comprises a
cannula that comprises a ground section.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hollow body in the recess
of the connecting part is fastened to a disk-shaped body that
comprises openings.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the connecting part consists
of a lower subsection and an upper subsection that are fixed by
clicking into place, wherein the disk-shaped body is arranged at an
upper end of the lower subsection.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the membrane has an upper,
plate-like portion that is adjoined by an annular, lower
portion.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the lower, annular portion of
the membrane is held clamped between the lower subsection and the
upper subsection of the connecting part.
7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the openings in the
disk-shaped body comprise bores that are distributed
circumferentially around the hollow body.
8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the membrane is held clamped
between the lower subsection and the upper subsection of the
connecting part.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a container for
medicinal liquids, wherein the connecting part of the connector is
connected to the container.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container comprises a
bag, wherein the bag is selected from the group consisting of an
infusion bag, a transfusion bag, and a bag for holding an enteral
nutrient solution, wherein the connecting part of the connector
comprises a closure part that is welded to the bag.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the container comprises a
bag, wherein the bag is selected from the group consisting of an
infusion bag, a transfusion bag, and a bag for holding an enteral
nutrient solution, wherein the connecting part of the connector
comprises a closure part that is adhesively bonded to the bag.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the membrane is slit in order
to receive a tapered shaft of the syringe in a manner that
maintains a seal around the tapered shaft of the syringe.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connecting part has an
external thread for the connection of a Luer Lock syringe.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an upper side of the membrane
comprises a trough-shaped depression.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the break-off part as
comprises a flat gripping piece that is connected to the upper end
of the connecting part via an annular breaking zone.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the syringe,
wherein the syringe further comprises a tapered shaft.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-zero distance is
sufficient to prevent unintentional piercing of the membrane.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the non-zero distance is
selected to define a gap within the recess, wherein the gap within
the recess extends across a portion of the recess that is between
the hollow body and the membrane.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, as a result of having made a
transition from the unbroken state to the broken state, the
break-off part is precluded from making another transition from the
unbroken state to the broken state.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is the National Stage of International Application
No. PCT/EP2009/006851, filed on Sep. 23, 2009, which claims the
priority of German Patent Application No. 10 2008 048 988.3, filed
on Sep. 25, 2008. The contents of both applications are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
The invention relates to a connector for connecting a syringe to a
container or tubing, in particular for connecting a syringe to a
container for holding infusion, transfusion or enteral nutrient
solutions, and in particular for connecting a syringe to tubing of
a blood tube system of an extracorporeal blood treatment device or
tubing for venous access. Furthermore, the invention relates to a
container and to tubing with a connector of this type.
BACKGROUND
DE-A-197 28 775 describes an infusion bag with an injection part
and a withdrawal part. The injection part is intended for delivery
of a medicament by means of an injection syringe, whereas the
withdrawal part is used for withdrawing the solution by means of a
spike. The injection and withdrawal parts have a tubular connecting
part that is sealed by a protective cap designed as a break-off
part.
Tapered connections having a tapered stem and a tapered sleeve, the
tapered surfaces of which are standardized, are known in medical
technology for connecting medical implements. The tapered
connections that are not lockable and have standardized tapered
surfaces are referred to as Luer connectors and the lockable
tapered connections are referred to as Luer lock connectors. The
Luer connectors or Luer lock connectors with a tapered shaft are
referred to as male connectors and connectors with a tapered sleeve
are referred to as female connectors.
An infusion bag with connectors for delivering and withdrawing
liquids is also known from DE-A-103 48 016. The connector for
delivering a liquid permits connection of a conventional syringe to
a tapered connection, in particular a Luer lock tapered connection,
which does not have an injection needle. Since an injection needle
having a small cross section is not required, relatively viscous
active substances can also be injected rapidly. There is no risk of
injury to the nursing staff. There is also no risk of the infusion
bag being damaged. The possibility of screwing together the syringe
and the connector ensures that the connection does not become
detached. The connector has a self-sealing, slit membrane that is
pierced by the tapered shaft of the syringe. After the tapered
shaft is pulled out, the membrane closes again and therefore
prevents the liquid from running out of the bag. The connector has
proven successful in practice. However, a requirement for correct
functioning of the known connector is that the membrane can open
easily and reliably.
EP-A-0 681 493 describes a connector for connecting a syringe.
However, the connector is based on a different functioning
principle from the connector described above. The known connector
has a hollow pin that is arranged within a stopper tightly sealing
the connector. The pin has a plurality of lateral openings below
its point. When the syringe is connected to the connector, the
stopper surrounding the pin is displaced by the tapered shaft of
the syringe such that the pin penetrates the tapered shaft. A
liquid connection is therefore produced between the syringe and the
connector via the lateral openings of the pin.
EP 0 309 771 A1 describes a device for injecting liquids into a
channel of a cannula connecting piece. The device has a membrane
that is pierced by a cannula upon connection of the cone of a
syringe. In this case, the basic principle involves the tapered
shaft of the syringe taking hold of a clamping sleeve that
surrounds the membrane and is supported on a lower flange of the
membrane. As a result, the membrane is pushed over the cannula. The
production and assembly of the known device is relatively costly
and complicated because of the additional clamping sleeve.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,396,051 B2 describes an arrangement of connectors,
in which a membrane of one connector is penetrated by a hollow
body, the hollow body advancing into a cylindrical body of the
other connector. However, the cylindrical body is not the cone of a
syringe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on the object of providing a connector that
permits simple connection of a syringe to a container or to tubing
without the risk of injury, wherein the connector securely seals
the container or the tubing after removal of the syringe.
Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a
container or tubing with a connector permitting simple connection
of a syringe to the container or the tubing without the risk of
injury.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject matter of
the dependent claims. In some embodiments, the connector has a
connecting part that is to be connected to the container or the
tubing and that has a recess in which a membrane, with which the
recess is closed, is arranged. Furthermore, a hollow body with a
point is arranged in the recess of the connecting part in such a
manner that the membrane is pierced when the syringe is connected
to the connecting part.
The connector according to the invention is distinguished at least
in part because at least that part of the membrane that is pierced
is arranged above the hollow body in the recess of the connecting
part and therefore, when the syringe is connected to the connecting
part, that part of the membrane that is to be pierced is pressed
onto the point of the hollow body. The effect achieved by this is
that the membrane can be easily and reliably pierced without there
being the risk of twisting the membrane.
In the arrangement according to the invention of the syringe with
the tapered shaft and the connector for connecting the syringe to a
container or tubing, the tapered shaft of the syringe and the
hollow body are arranged in such a manner that the tapered shaft of
the syringe is sealed in relation to the hollow body when the
syringe is connected to the connector. When the syringe is
connected to the connecting part, the point of the syringe presses
the membrane directly onto the hollow body. In the process, the
point of the syringe acts directly on the membrane.
When the syringe is connected to the connector, the tapered shaft
of the syringe is not only sealed in relation to the hollow body
but also in relation to the connecting part having the preferably
conical connecting piece of the connector such that both parts are
securely sealed off from each other. This is crucial in particular
when administering cytostatics.
Since the point of the syringe is advantageously arranged at a
distance from the preferably slit membrane, unintentional opening
of the membrane is prevented even if the two containers with the
connector are to be sterilized, in which case there would otherwise
be a risk of the membrane being deformed because of the positive
pressure arising in the container.
In a preferred embodiment, at least that part of the membrane that
is pierced and the hollow body are arranged at a distance from each
other in the recess of the connecting part. However, it is in
principle also possible for the point of the hollow body to come
into contact with the membrane. The sole crucial factor is to
ensure that the membrane is not damaged by the point of the hollow
body before the syringe is connected to the connecting part.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the hollow body, with which
the membrane is pierced is a cannula with a ground section.
Consequently, the hollow body does not need to have any lateral
openings or slits. The liquid can flow in the axial direction into
the lumen of the cannula.
Another particularly preferred embodiment makes provision for the
hollow body in the recess of the connecting part to be fastened to
a disk-shaped body that preferably has openings. The openings in
the disk-shaped body are preferably bores distributed
circumferentially around the hollow body. This preferred embodiment
has the advantage that the container to which the connector is
connected can be filled through the openings. Another advantage is
that, when required, injection of additional liquids, for example
insulin or heparin, by a syringe with an injection needle (cannula)
is in principle possible, optionally even directly through the
openings.
The membrane is preferably slit in order to maintain a seal while
receiving the tapered shaft of a syringe. This facilitates the
piercing of the self-sealing membrane, in particular by a hollow
body composed of plastic. After the tapered shaft of the syringe
has been pulled out, the membrane can be closed again, and
therefore liquid is prevented from running out of the container or
the tubing. However, it is also possible for the membrane not to be
slit, in particular if the hollow body is a pin, and in particular,
a metal pin.
The connecting part preferably has an external thread for
connection of a Luer lock syringe that can be screwed securely to
the connecting part. However, it is also possible that the
connecting part does not have an external thread, and therefore
that only a Luer syringe without a screw thread can be
connected.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the connecting part is
composed of an upper subsection and a lower subsection that are
fixed by clicking into place. In this embodiment, for the fastening
of the hollow body, the disk-shaped body is preferably arranged at
the upper end of the lower subsection. The membrane is preferably
held clamped between the upper and lower subsections. This
facilitates the assembly. However, the connecting part may also be
a single piece.
The membrane preferably has an upper, plate-like portion that is
adjoined by an annular, lower portion. In this embodiment, the
lower, annular portion of the membrane is preferably held clamped
between the upper and lower subsections of the connecting part,
whereas the plate-like portion is completely pierced by the point
of the hollow body upon connection of the syringe.
Preferably, the upper side of the membrane has a trough-shaped
depression that ensures that the tapered shaft of the syringe is
reliably guided and that also ensures that the membrane is reliably
sealed after the tapered shaft has been pulled out.
The recess-closing break-off part of the connector according to the
invention is advantageously designed as a flat gripping piece in
order to be able to be held by the thumb and index finger, thus
simplifying its handling. The break-off part can be connected to
the connecting part of the connector via an annular breaking zone.
As a result, although the break-off part has a secure grip, it can
nevertheless be detached relatively easily.
The connector according to the invention is expediently an
injection-molded part that can be produced cost-effectively in
large piece numbers.
According to the invention, the container for medicinal liquid is
connected to the connector. For this purpose, the connecting part
of the connector may differ in design. Adhesive bonds and/or
welding connections are possible. The container may be a bag, in
particular an infusion or transfusion bag, or a bag for holding an
enteral nutrient solution, with it being possible for the
connecting part to be designed as a closure part that is to be
welded or adhesively bonded to the bag. However, the container may
also be a bottle, with it being possible for the connector to be
designed as a closure cap or for the connecting part of the
connector to be designed as an adapter for the closure of a
bottle.
The tubing for medicinal liquids is distinguished in that the
connector is connected to the tubing. The tubing may be, for
example, part of a blood tube system of an extracorporeal blood
treatment device or tubing for venous access.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A number of exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in
more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the connector according to
the invention in side view,
FIG. 2 shows a section through the connector from FIG. 1 along the
line A-A,
FIG. 3 shows a section through the connector of FIG. 2 along the
line C-C,
FIG. 4 shows the detail A from FIG. 2 in an enlarged
illustration,
FIG. 5 shows the lower subsection of the connector in a perspective
illustration,
FIG. 6 shows the connector from FIGS. 1 to 5 with a connected
syringe in a sectioned illustration,
FIG. 7 shows an infusion or transfusion bag with the connector in a
partially sectioned illustration,
FIG. 8 shows a section through a second exemplary embodiment of the
connector according to the invention,
FIG. 9 shows the connector from FIG. 8 with the connected syringe
in a sectioned illustration,
FIG. 10 shows a section through a third exemplary embodiment of the
connector according to the invention,
FIG. 11 shows the connector from FIG. 10 with the connected syringe
in a sectioned illustration,
FIG. 12 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of the connector,
and
FIG. 13 shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of the connector.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first exemplary embodiment of a connector 1
according to the invention. The connector 1 connects a syringe to a
container. FIG. 1 shows a side view of the connector 1. FIG. 2
shows the same connector 1 in cross-section. In both FIGS. 1 and 2,
no syringe has been connected to the connector 1.
The connector 1 is designed as an injection part for injecting an
active substance into a container that contains a medicinal liquid.
A typical container is infusion bag. Another typical container is a
transfusion bag.
The connector 1, which is an injection molded part made of
polypropylene, has a connecting part 2 with a channel-shaped recess
3, best seen in FIG. 2. The connecting part 2 is composed of a
bag-side lower subsection 4 and a connection-side upper subsection
5. The bag-side lower subsection 4 of the connecting part 2 has a
lower portion 6 and an upper portion 7, both of which are
substantially cylindrical. The lower portion 6 has a smaller
external diameter than the upper portion 7. The lower portion 6 can
be inserted or pushed into and either welded to or adhesively
bonded to a connecting piece of a film bag. However, the lower
portion 6 of the bag-side lower subsection 4 of the connecting part
2 may also be welded or adhesively bonded directly into the film
bag without a connecting piece.
The lower and upper subsections 4, 5 of the connecting part 2 are
connected to each other by being clicked into place. For this
purpose, the outer wall of the upper portion 7 of the lower
subsection 4 of the connecting part 2 has an encircling extension
8. When the lower subsection 4 and the upper subsection 5 are
pressed together, the encircling extension 8 clicks into an
encircling groove 9 on an inner wall of the upper subsection 5 of
the connecting part 2. An encircling projection 11 at a lower end
of the upper portion 7 of the lower subsection 4 supports a lower
edge 10 of the upper subsection 5.
A self-sealing membrane 12 composed of an elastic material, also
referred to as a septum, is held clamped with elastic deformation
between the lower and upper subsections 4, 5 of the connecting part
2. The self-sealing membrane 12 has an annular, lower portion 13
that is clamped between the lower and upper subsections 4, 5 of the
connecting part 2. The lower, annular portion 13 of the membrane 12
adjoins an upper, plate-like portion 14. In the center of the
plate-like portion 14, the membrane 12 has a continuous slit 15. In
some embodiments, the membrane 12 has just one transversely running
slit 15. Other embodiments have a crosswise slit 15 or a
star-shaped slit 15. The slit 15 preferably extends virtually over
the entire cross section of the plate-like portion 14 of the
membrane 12. On the upper side of the plate-like portion 14, the
membrane 12 has a trough-shaped depression 16 in the center.
Above the membrane 12, the connecting part 2 is designed as a
connecting piece that has an internal cone 17 and an external
thread 18. The internal cone 17 and external thread 18 correspond
to the tapered shaft of a Luer lock tapered connection of a
conventional Luer lock syringe. Therefore, the tapered shaft of the
Luer lock syringe can be pushed into the internal cone 17 of the
connecting piece in a sealing manner and can be screwed securely to
the connecting part 2.
A cap-shaped break-off part 20, which closes the channel-shaped
recess 3 of the connecting part 2, adjoins the connecting piece 2
of the connector 1 via an annular breaking zone 19. The break-off
part 20, which forms a tamper-evident closure for the connector 1,
has a lower, rotationally symmetrical base part 20A and an upper,
flat gripping piece 20B. A cut-out 21 in the flat gripping piece
20B forms a downwardly pointing arrow that identifies the connector
1 as an injection part.
Upon connection of a Luer lock syringe to the connector 1, the
membrane 12 is pierced. For this purpose, the connector 1 has a
hollow body that defines a cannula 22 having a point 23. The
cannula's point 23 has a ground section that has two mutually
opposite, lateral ground surfaces 23A and 23B, as shown in FIG.
5.
The sharpened cannula 22 is fastened to a center of a disk-shaped
body 24 that is integrally formed on an upper end of the lower
subsection 4 of the connecting part 2. The disk-shaped body 24 has
a plurality of bores 25 that are distributed circumferentially
around the cannula 22, as shown in FIG. 5.
The cannula 22 extends from the disk-shaped body 24 of the lower
subsection 4 of the connecting part 2 into a first cylindrical
recess 26 that is enclosed by the lower, annular portion 13 of the
membrane 12. In this case, only a narrow gap 27 remains between a
lower side of the upper, plate-like portion 14 of the membrane 12
and the point 23 of the cannula 22.
In order to secure the lower subsection 4 in the upper subsection 5
of the connecting part 2 against twisting, the lower subsection 4
has external teeth 56 above the encircling extension 8 and the
upper subsection 5 has a corresponding internal teeth 58, as shown
in FIG. 3. The internal teeth 58 and external teeth 56 engage one
inside the other when the two parts are joined together.
To inject an active substance, the break-off part 20 of the
connector 1 is twisted off or broken off by rotation or breaking,
thereby exposing the self-sealing membrane 12. A conventional Luer
lock syringe is then screwed to the connector 1.
FIG. 6 shows the connector 1 with the break-off part 20 broken off.
A Luer lock syringe 28 has been screwed onto the connector 1, thus
producing a liquid connection between the syringe 28 and the
connector 1. Screwing in the syringe 28 pushes the front end of a
tapered shaft 29 of the syringe 28 onto the trough-shaped
depression 16 in the plate-like portion 14 of the membrane 12.
As the syringe 28 is being screwed on, the tapered shaft 29
advances further. Eventually, the tapered shaft 29 presses the
upper, plate-like portion 14 of the membrane 12 downward. As a
result, the lower side of the membrane 12 pushes onto the point 23
of the cannula 22.
Further screwing of the syringe 28 advances the tapered shaft 29
even further until eventually the cannula 22 pierces the pre-slit
membrane 12 and penetrates a second cylindrical recess 30, which is
a recess in the tapered shaft 29. When the syringe 28 has been
completely screwed on, a narrow gap 31 remains between the tapered
shaft 29 of the syringe 28 and the disk-shaped body 24 of the lower
subsection 4 of the connecting part 2.
Unscrewing the syringe 28 pulls the tapered shaft 29 back again. As
a result, the upper, plate-like portion 14 of the membrane 12
returns to its starting position and securely closes the connector
1. Since the membrane 12 is pre-slit, the point 23 of the cannula
22 penetrates the membrane 12 without damaging it. This ensures
that the membrane 12 closes the connector 1 tightly again when the
syringe 28 is unscrewed.
FIG. 7 shows a portion of an infusion or transfusion bag 32
together with the connector 1. The bag 32 consists of first and
second film layers 32A and 32B that are welded to each other at to
form a common edge 32C. The connector 1 is welded into an upper
edge of the bag 32. The lower subsection 4 of the connecting part 2
of the connector 1 is pushed into a connecting piece 32D and is
welded to the connecting piece 32D during the sterilization
operation. Prior to assembling the connector 1, the bag 32 can not
only be filled with a transfusion or infusion solution, it can also
be filled with an enteral nutrient solution via the bores 25 in the
lower subsection 4 of the connecting part 2 when the lower and
upper subsections 4, 5 are not yet connected to each other.
Further exemplary embodiments of the connector according to the
invention are described below. The main difference between these
embodiments and the connector 1 described with reference to FIGS. 1
to 6 is that the connecting part differs in design. Unlike the
connector 1 from FIGS. 1 to 6, which is intended for connection to
a bag, the connectors described below are intended for connection
to a bottle or tubing. Since the individual connectors differ only
by the design of the connecting part 2, and in particular of the
lower portion 6 of the lower subsection 4 of the connecting part 2,
only the differences over the first exemplary embodiment of the
connector 1 are described below. The mutually corresponding parts
are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show sectional views of a first alternative connector
1'. In particular, FIG. 8 shows the first alternative connector 1'
before connection of the syringe 28, and FIG. 9 shows the first
alternative connector 1' after connection of the syringe 28.
In this first exemplary embodiment, a lower portion of a lower
subsection 4 of the connector 1' is designed in the manner of a
boat 33 that can be welded or adhesively bonded to a film bag.
Boats of this type are known to a person skilled in the art to
often be designed as flat bodies with a first lateral web 33A and a
second lateral web 33B.
FIGS. 10 and 11 show a second alternative connector 1'' that is
intended for connection to a bottle. In FIG. 10, the second
alternative connector 1'' is not yet connected to a bottle. FIG. 11
shows the second connector 1'' shown in FIG. 10 but connected to a
bottle 34. The bottle 34 is a conventional bottle for holding a
medicinal liquid. A stopper 35 tightly closes the bottle 34.
The second alternative connector 1'', which is designed as a
connection adapter, has a spike 36 for piercing the stopper 35 of
the bottle 34. The spike 36 extends downward from an upper,
cylindrical portion 7 of the lower subsection 4 of the second
alternative connector 1''. A cylindrical subsection 37 surrounds
the spike 36. The cylindrical subsection 37 is likewise integrally
formed on the upper portion 7 of the lower subsection 4.
Inside the cylindrical subsection 37 are a plurality of webs 38 and
a plurality of slits 39 such that the cylindrical subsection 37 can
be placed onto the closure of the bottle 34. Such placement pierces
the stopper 35, thus enabling withdrawal of liquid using the
syringe 28.
A further exemplary embodiment, referred to herein as a third
alternative connector 1''', is shown in FIG. 12. The third
alternative connector 1''' is intended for connection to tubing 40,
for example tubing for venous access. A lower portion 6 of a lower
subsection 4 of the third alternative connector 1''' is designed as
a hollow-cylindrical connecting piece 41 that is dimensioned in
such a manner that the tubing 40 can be pushed onto the connecting
piece 41 and can be welded or adhesively bonded to the connecting
piece 41. Other than this, the third alternative connector 1''' of
FIG. 12 does not differ in construction and manner of operation
from the exemplary embodiments described above.
FIG. 13 shows a fourth alternative connector 1''''. The fourth
alternative connector 1'''' is designed as a closure cap for a
bottle. The closure cap has a round cover part 42 that is adjoined
by a cylindrical side part 43. A flange 44 for fastening the
closure cap to a bottle head is situated on the lower edge of the
side part 43.
The fourth alternative connector 1'''' has a port system 45 that
comprises an injection point 46 for injecting liquid and a
withdrawal point 47 for withdrawing liquid. The injection point 46
and the withdrawal point 47 are closed by corresponding first and
second break-off parts 48, 49 that identify the two points of the
port system as an injection part or withdrawal part by a respective
first and second arrows 50, 51.
In this embodiment, the cover part 42 and the cylindrical side part
43 represent the connecting part 2 of the fourth alternative
connector 1'''' that is placed onto the bottle (not illustrated in
FIG. 13).
At the injection point 46, the round cover part 42 of the fourth
alternative connector 1'''' has a recess 3'. A self-sealing
membrane 12' is arranged in the recess 3'. It is this self-sealing
membrane 12' that closes the recess 3'. The self-sealing membrane
12' is identical to the membrane 12 described with reference to the
preceding exemplary embodiments.
In the embodiment of the fourth alternative connector 1'''',
connecting a syringe 28 to the closure cap presses the membrane 12'
onto a point of a hollow body 22' that is arranged below the
membrane 12'. In the embodiment of the fourth alternative connector
1'''', the point 23' of the hollow body 22' is not, however, at a
distance from the membrane 12'. Instead, the point 23' of the
hollow body 22' is directly below the membrane 12'.
The hollow body 22' for piercing the membrane 12' upon connection
of the syringe is integrally formed on a disk-shaped body 24' that
sits together with the membrane 12' in the recess 3' of the cover
part 42 of the closure cap. A projecting, encircling extension 52
that engages under the disk-shaped body 24' clamps the membrane
12', the hollow body 22', and the disk-shaped body 24' in the
recess 3'. In this case, an upper projecting extension supports the
lower portion of the membrane 12' in the recess 3' of the cover
part 42 of the closure cap. Meanwhile, a lower-projecting extension
54 supports the disk-shaped body 24'. However, it is also possible
to adhesively bond or to weld the disk-shaped body 24' to the cover
part 42 of the closure cap. In this embodiment, the withdrawal
point 47 of the closure cap does not have the connection according
to the invention. Therefore, the withdrawal point of the closure
cap is also not described in more detail.
* * * * *